Ex-American defender blasts decision to give Messi Presidential Medal of Freedom

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The choice to give Lionel Messi the Presidential Medal of Freedom has drawn criticism from former American defender Alexi Lalas.

Last Saturday, President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, including the captain of Inter Miami.

The prize, which is regarded as the highest civilian distinction in the United States, was also given to LGBT activist Tim Gill and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

On his podcast, “State of the Union,” Lalas has since attacked the ruling.

He branded it as “strange and ridiculous” because Messi only moved to the U.S. in July 2023, when he joined Inter Miami as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

“The fact that Messi received the Medal of Freedom is ridiculous,” Lalas said.

“He’s been here, what, a year and a half?”

He added, “It’s strange, but if you’re given that honor, you should respect it, and Messi was the only one who didn’t attend the event.”

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